Pill crushers: Which one is right for you, and where can you buy it?
Get your own pill crusher and discover the different types available. We explain everything you need to know about crushing pills.
In short
- According to the AEMPS, as a general rule medicines should not be crushed: it can reduce their effectiveness or cause adverse effects, especially with prolonged-release, gastro-resistant or sublingual tablets.
- Before crushing a pill, check the patient leaflet or the product information in CIMA and ask your doctor or pharmacist, who can offer liquid or orodispersible alternatives.
- If it can be crushed, do one pill at a time, take all of the powder straight away and avoid inhaling it.
- There are electric, portable and manual crushers: electric ones help if you have limited dexterity, and manual ones are simple and inexpensive.
When we take medication regularly, a pill crusher can help with swallowing problems or when taking medicines that are too large, as long as the medicine can be crushed.
Fortunately, pill crushers are devices designed to break tablets down into smaller pieces or powder that are easier to swallow. But with so many options available... How do you know which medicine crusher is right for you? In this article, we explain when to use a pill crusher and the latest products on the market.
You may also be interested in how to request your medication from the pharmacy, organised by a pharmacist.
| What will you find in this article? |
What happens if you crush a pill?
First of all, it is important to understand why your doctor has chosen to prescribe a medicine that is difficult to swallow. According to the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), as a general rule medicines should not be altered: crushing them can reduce their effectiveness or cause adverse effects. The risk is greater for prolonged-release, gastro-resistant and sublingual tablets. Some medicines may also have an unpleasant taste or irritate the mouth or digestive tract if they are crushed.
Before using a pill crusher, it is essential to discuss the treatment with your doctor or talk to the pharmacist about the dosage. You can also check the patient leaflet (prospecto) or the summary of product characteristics in CIMA, the AEMPS database, to see whether crushing is allowed. If it is not, your doctor or pharmacist can recommend alternatives such as oral solutions or orodispersible, chewable or dispersible tablets.
How do you crush a pill at home?
If your doctor or pharmacist confirms that the pill can be crushed, it is important to do it correctly. A common way to reduce the size of pills is to use a mortar and pestle. You can also use a spoon to crush the pill on a clean, dry plate until only a fine powder remains.
When crushing medication, take special care not to mix different pills, and do not contaminate doses with traces of another medicine. This is because pills can interact with each other and affect their effectiveness or safety. You should also make sure you take all of the powder, without leaving any in the crusher or on the plate, because losing some of the powder reduces the dose. In addition, so organising your doses properly will help you know in advance what you need to take and at what time of day.
After crushing the pill, it is best to take it straight away, unless the pharmacist tells you otherwise. Some active ingredients break down once crushed and exposed. Also remember not to inhale the powder or touch it directly, and wash your hands afterwards, as accidental exposure to the medicine can also affect the person preparing it.
Below we explain the types of crusher you can find on the market and their main advantages:
Electric pill crusher
Electric pill crushers are ideal for those who need to crush medicines often or in large quantities. These devices run on batteries and are very easy to use.
You simply place the pill in the compartment, press the button and the device does the work for you. These devices are an excellent option for people with arthritis or other conditions that affect their manual dexterity.
We suggest taking a look at this Binnan electric pill crusher on Amazon, which has a large capacity and is easy to carry.
Portable pill crusher
If you travel often or need to crush pills while you are away from home, a portable pill crusher is an excellent option. These devices are light, compact and easy to carry in a pocket or handbag. Some models even come with a keyring, so you can take them with you anywhere.
The Opret brand has several models, which are easy to use and very intuitive.
Manual pill crusher
Manual pill crushers are inexpensive, easy-to-use devices that do not need electricity or batteries. These devices come in a variety of styles, from screw crushers to mortar-and-pestle crushers. Simply place the pill in the compartment and apply pressure to crush it into smaller pieces.
Manual crushers are ideal for people who only need to take pills occasionally. In these cases, we recommend checking out the Pill Mill offer on Amazon.
A pill crusher may seem like an easy solution for those who have difficulty swallowing whole pills. However, it is important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before doing so and to make sure you do it correctly.
At IMA Health we offer a personalised service that allows you to receive your medication organised by day and time. A specialised pharmacist will always be available to discuss the dosage of your treatment and advise you on anything you need.
Find out more about IMA Health
Sources
- AEMPS: risks of altering tablets or capsules, 2025 (Spanish)
- CIMA: AEMPS medicines information database (Spanish)